Put your best hand forward

Put your best hand forward

In the fight against premature aging, my patients usually come into the office asking about solutions for wrinkles or sagging skin on the face. After I go over the options for improving collagen and reducing wrinkles on the face and neck, I also like to share a little secret with them — if looking younger is your goal, there is one more body part — perhaps an unexpected one — you should think about: Your hands, the secret tell.

Admittedly, your face is the focal point when making a first impression. It is the primary instrument we use to engage and convey thoughts, emotions, and energy. And over time, as we age, we see the inevitable development of frown lines, crow’s feet, age spots, and sagging skin. When we look in the mirror, some of us see a tired version of our younger selves, while others see a virtual stranger.

Interestingly, your hands are a very close second. You shake them, wave them and work with them — they are exposed to the sun’s harmful rays every single day, just like your face, but few think to protect them with sunscreen like they do on the face. In essence, the hands often need even more TLC than the face, and a little improvement can go a very long way in creating a more youthful look.

There are four key indicators of age on the hands: volume loss, age spots, prominent veins and textural change. Luckily, a few great new technologies are extremely effective in addressing these issues.

Restoring volume: Volume loss can be rectified with fillers like Juvederm or Radiesse. Both are commonly used on the face, and deliver equally great results when used on the hands. They help smooth out the appearance of “bony” or “veiny” hands by filling in sunken in areas — the number one visible cue of an aged hand.

Reducing age spots: Much like on the face, age spots on the hand can be drastically reduced or even eliminated with either liquid nitrogen or Pulsed Light Rejuvenation, which for the hands uses pulsed light as well as a laser to target pigmentation, such as freckles and sun spots.

Vein treatment: I recommend a procedure called sclerotherapy, which is extremely effective at reducing the size of veins on the hands and elsewhere. It involves a small injection of medication into the vein, which causes it to seal and shrink. The medications, Sotradecol or Asclera, create little to no discomfort when injected, are FDA approved for vein treatment, and have excellent safety profiles.

Improving texture: I recommend a treatment that uses radiofrequency technology, like Endymed 3DEEP or Thermage. These procedures stimulate new collagen formation, which acts as a foundation for the skin, creating a firmer, smoother appearance. The restored collagen provides that coveted youthful glow while also reducing wrinkles.

Many patients are surprised by how much younger they look and how much better they feel after they’ve undergone treatments like these; whether it’s fewer bulging veins, reduced sun spots or less wrinkling, it is possible to be happy with what you see when you glance down at the tops of your hands. And, while it may be an unexpected solution, it’s an incredibly effective treatment that offers long-term results in the battle against premature aging.

---Dr. Steven Zimmet has been practicing in Austin, Texas for over thirty years. He is a sought-after cosmetic dermatologist and a world-renowned expert in vein care. Dr. Zimmet has been named by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America for dermatology/phlebology Vein Magazine named Dr. Zimmet as one of the 25 most influential professionals in vein care worldwide. As the Founding President of the American Board of Phlebology, Past-President of the American College of Phlebology and Editor of the Phlebology Journal, Dr. Zimmet travels the world to share his expertise in vein treatment. At Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, Dr. Zimmet also offers an array of aesthetic services, including Ultherapy, CoolSculpting, Liposonix, Pulsed Light Rejuvenation, Endymed, Botox and fillers. Dr. Zimmet’s mission is to help his patients achieve optimal results through clear information, thorough guidance and clinically advanced treatments.